Legendary Poet express his heartfelt condolence
One of South Africa’s most prolific poets, wordsmith, storyteller, journalist, public speaker, political activist, peace crusader, raconteur, resident of Eldorado Park and patron of the Don Mattera Legacy Foundation, Dr Donato Francisco Mattera, better known as “Bra Don”, expressed his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and friends of Nathaniel Julius and the community of Eldorado Park.
This comes as the family of slain Eldorado Park teenager Nathaniel Julies along with community members are at the Protea Magistrate’s Court in Soweto today ahead of the appearance of three suspects, expected to appear for a bail hearing in connection with his murder.
The legendary bard of the anti-Apartheid liberation struggle Don Mattera says he is deeply saddened by the brutal killing of Nathaniel who was in the junior class at Don Mattera school for learners with special educational needs. He expressed the pain he felt when the life of such a harmless, defenseless, and vulnerable young man was wrenched from his family and his community in such a dreadful manner.
Dr Don Mattera said, “I helped to start the Don Mattera school for children with special needs in Eldorado Park and another school in Edenvale. I worry about children as they are the vulnerable who we should be concerned about first. I was shocked when I heard of the young little boy Nathaniel Julies who went to my school was shot dead by the police. We as the Don Mattera Legacy Foundation and our families were deeply moved and hurt, but we cannot blame all the cops for Nathaniel death, as not all the cops are rotten. Let the police investigate and arrest those responsible to show that this was a rotten thing that has happened in Eldorado Park”.
The death of the 16-year-old Eldorado Park teen Nathaniel Julius who had down syndrome, had nothing else but a biscuit in his hand when he was shot just meters away from his home by police officials who unceremoniously dumped his body at the Baragwanath Hospital on Wednesday night. Police claimed that he was caught between a shooting with officers and alleged gangsters.
“For decades Eldorado Park has been offering up young men like Nathaniel through violence, drugs, displacement, economic exclusion, under development and unemployment. As a nation we should not only mourn, but we should hang our heads in shame for the senseless loss of a young life through an act of violence by those that are supposed to protect us. Why should we be afraid of the very police force that are meant to ensure that no harm is perpetrated against its citizens?”, asked Dr Mattera.
Dr Teddy Mattera, the son of Don Mattera and a board member of the Don Mattera Legacy Foundation, added his voice, “The community of Eldorado Park and many other townships have not healed from centuries of trauma, first under colonialism and then apartheid brutality. But now it seems that the police are guilty of perpetuating the horrid legacy of violence that shamed us as a nation and this should not be tolerated. We as the Don Mattera Legacy Foundation and the community of Eldorado Park demand justice for Nathaniel Julius”..
Dr Don Mattera concluded, “We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of Police and all law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned to bring those that killed young Nathaniel Julies to book and ensure that our all our communities are safe and protected”.
THE END
Released by: Fundi Communications & Advertising - 10th September 2020